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<title>SAM</title>
<link>https://sam.ensam.eu:443</link>
<description>The DSpace digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material.</description>
<pubDate xmlns="http://apache.org/cocoon/i18n/2.1">Fri, 05 Jun 2026 23:02:53 GMT</pubDate>
<dc:date>2026-06-05T23:02:53Z</dc:date>
<item>
<title>Kinetic DTI of the cervical spine: diffusivity changes in healthy subjects</title>
<link>http://hdl.handle.net/10985/17856</link>
<description>Kinetic DTI of the cervical spine: diffusivity changes in healthy subjects
KUHN, Félix P.; FEYDY, Antoine; LAUNAY, Nathalie; LEFEVRE-COLAU, Marie-Martine; POIRAUDEAU, Serge; MAIER, Marc A.; LINDBERG, Pavel; LAPORTE, Sébastien
Introduction The study aims to assess the influence of neck extension on water diffusivity within the cervical spinal cord. Methods IRB approved the study in 22 healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent anatomical MR and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at 1.5 T. The cervical cord was imaged in neutral (standard) position and extension. Segmental vertebral rotations were analyzed on sagittal T2-weighted images using the SpineView® software. Spinal cord diffusivity was measured in cross-sectional regions of interests at multiple levels (C1–C5). Results As a result of non-adapted coil geometry for spinal extension, 10 subjects had to be excluded. Image quality of the remaining 12 subjects was good without any deteriorating artifacts. Quantitative measurements of vertebral rotation angles and diffusion parameters showed good intra-rater reliability (ICC= 0.84–0.99). DTI during neck extension revealed significantly decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) at the C3 level and increased apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) at the C3 and C4 levels (p &lt; 0.01 Bonferroni corrected). The C3/C4 level corresponded to the maximal absolute change in segmental vertebral rotation between the two positions. The increase in RD correlated positively with the degree of global extension, i.e., the summed vertebral rotation angle between C1 and C5 (R= 0.77, p= 0.006). Conclusion Our preliminary results suggest that DTI can quantify changes in water diffusivity during cervical spine extension. The maximal differences in segmental vertebral rotation corresponded to the levels with significant changes in diffusivity (C3/C4). Consequently, kinetic DTI measurements may open new perspectives in the assessment of neural tissue under biomechanical constraints
</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://hdl.handle.net/10985/17856</guid>
<dc:date>2016-01-01T00:00:00Z</dc:date>
<dc:creator>KUHN, Félix P.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>FEYDY, Antoine</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LAUNAY, Nathalie</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LEFEVRE-COLAU, Marie-Martine</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>POIRAUDEAU, Serge</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>MAIER, Marc A.</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LINDBERG, Pavel</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LAPORTE, Sébastien</dc:creator>
<dc:description>Introduction The study aims to assess the influence of neck extension on water diffusivity within the cervical spinal cord. Methods IRB approved the study in 22 healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent anatomical MR and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at 1.5 T. The cervical cord was imaged in neutral (standard) position and extension. Segmental vertebral rotations were analyzed on sagittal T2-weighted images using the SpineView® software. Spinal cord diffusivity was measured in cross-sectional regions of interests at multiple levels (C1–C5). Results As a result of non-adapted coil geometry for spinal extension, 10 subjects had to be excluded. Image quality of the remaining 12 subjects was good without any deteriorating artifacts. Quantitative measurements of vertebral rotation angles and diffusion parameters showed good intra-rater reliability (ICC= 0.84–0.99). DTI during neck extension revealed significantly decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) at the C3 level and increased apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) at the C3 and C4 levels (p &lt; 0.01 Bonferroni corrected). The C3/C4 level corresponded to the maximal absolute change in segmental vertebral rotation between the two positions. The increase in RD correlated positively with the degree of global extension, i.e., the summed vertebral rotation angle between C1 and C5 (R= 0.77, p= 0.006). Conclusion Our preliminary results suggest that DTI can quantify changes in water diffusivity during cervical spine extension. The maximal differences in segmental vertebral rotation corresponded to the levels with significant changes in diffusivity (C3/C4). Consequently, kinetic DTI measurements may open new perspectives in the assessment of neural tissue under biomechanical constraints</dc:description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Global alignment taking into account the cervical spine with odontoid hip axis angle (OD-HA)</title>
<link>http://hdl.handle.net/10985/21558</link>
<description>Global alignment taking into account the cervical spine with odontoid hip axis angle (OD-HA)
FERRERO, Emmanuelle; GUIGUI, Pierre; KHALIFÉ, Marc; CARLIER, Robert; FEYDY, Antoine; FELTER, Adrien; LAFAGE, Virginie; SKALLI, Wafa
Introduction: Global alignment analysis is of upmost importance in adult spinal deformity patients (ASD). Numerous parameters exist in the literature to measure global alignment based upon C7 or T1. One common limitation of these parameters is that they neglect the cervical segment which is essential in spinal compensatory mechanisms and in horizontal gaze preservation. A recent stereoradiography analysis of asymptomatic subjects introduced a new 3D parameter (ODHA), defined as the angle between the vertical reference line and the line joining the odontoid tip (OD) to hip axis center (HA). Thus, the goal of this study was to analyze 3D global alignment of ASD patients using the new parameter odontoid hip axis angle and its relationship to other spinal parameters. Methods: In this prospective study, 90 adult patients with lumbar scoliosis (Cobb &gt; 20°) were included. All subjects underwent low dose biplanar X-rays with 3D spinal reconstructions. Based on published normative values of ODHA, we defined abnormally high value as mean ODHA of asymptomatic subject + 2SD (i.e., ODHA &gt; 6.1°). Values of 3D radiographic parameters and ODI were compared between patients with ODHA &gt; 6.1° and &lt; 6.1°. Results: Mean ODHA was 5+/− 3.6° (0.4° to 18.6°). 22 patients had abnormally high ODHA. They were older than the 68 other patients (68+/− 9y vs 53+/− 14y, p = 0.001), without any significant difference in terms of sex, BMI and rate of rotatory subluxation (54% vs 62%, p = 0.06). However, coronal and sagittal deformity was more important in patients with abnormal ODHA (larger Cobb angle, coronal malalignment, pelvic tilt and lower lumbar lordosis). Patients with abnormal ODHA had significantly worst ODI (50+/− 23 vs 30+/− 18, p = 0.0005). Conclusion: Extreme values of ODHA are observed in significantly older patients with significant functional impairment. In addition, in these patients with sagittal malalignment with loss of lumbar lordosis, who recruit compensatory mechanisms such as pelvic retroversion, the cervical area is also involved with a posture in cervical hyperlordosis to maintain the head over the pelvis. Thus, ODHA is an interesting parameter allowing a more comprehensive alignment measurement taking into account the mechanisms of compensation of the cervical spine to the pelvis.
</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://hdl.handle.net/10985/21558</guid>
<dc:date>2021-01-01T00:00:00Z</dc:date>
<dc:creator>FERRERO, Emmanuelle</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>GUIGUI, Pierre</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>KHALIFÉ, Marc</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>CARLIER, Robert</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>FEYDY, Antoine</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>FELTER, Adrien</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LAFAGE, Virginie</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>SKALLI, Wafa</dc:creator>
<dc:description>Introduction: Global alignment analysis is of upmost importance in adult spinal deformity patients (ASD). Numerous parameters exist in the literature to measure global alignment based upon C7 or T1. One common limitation of these parameters is that they neglect the cervical segment which is essential in spinal compensatory mechanisms and in horizontal gaze preservation. A recent stereoradiography analysis of asymptomatic subjects introduced a new 3D parameter (ODHA), defined as the angle between the vertical reference line and the line joining the odontoid tip (OD) to hip axis center (HA). Thus, the goal of this study was to analyze 3D global alignment of ASD patients using the new parameter odontoid hip axis angle and its relationship to other spinal parameters. Methods: In this prospective study, 90 adult patients with lumbar scoliosis (Cobb &gt; 20°) were included. All subjects underwent low dose biplanar X-rays with 3D spinal reconstructions. Based on published normative values of ODHA, we defined abnormally high value as mean ODHA of asymptomatic subject + 2SD (i.e., ODHA &gt; 6.1°). Values of 3D radiographic parameters and ODI were compared between patients with ODHA &gt; 6.1° and &lt; 6.1°. Results: Mean ODHA was 5+/− 3.6° (0.4° to 18.6°). 22 patients had abnormally high ODHA. They were older than the 68 other patients (68+/− 9y vs 53+/− 14y, p = 0.001), without any significant difference in terms of sex, BMI and rate of rotatory subluxation (54% vs 62%, p = 0.06). However, coronal and sagittal deformity was more important in patients with abnormal ODHA (larger Cobb angle, coronal malalignment, pelvic tilt and lower lumbar lordosis). Patients with abnormal ODHA had significantly worst ODI (50+/− 23 vs 30+/− 18, p = 0.0005). Conclusion: Extreme values of ODHA are observed in significantly older patients with significant functional impairment. In addition, in these patients with sagittal malalignment with loss of lumbar lordosis, who recruit compensatory mechanisms such as pelvic retroversion, the cervical area is also involved with a posture in cervical hyperlordosis to maintain the head over the pelvis. Thus, ODHA is an interesting parameter allowing a more comprehensive alignment measurement taking into account the mechanisms of compensation of the cervical spine to the pelvis.</dc:description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Volume of spinopelvic muscles: comparison between adult spinal deformity patients and asymptomatic subjects</title>
<link>http://hdl.handle.net/10985/20471</link>
<description>Volume of spinopelvic muscles: comparison between adult spinal deformity patients and asymptomatic subjects
FERRERO, Emmanuelle; SKALLI, Wafa; KHALIFÉ, Marc; CARLIER, Robert; FEYDY, Antoine; FELTER, Adrien; GUIGUI, Pierre; LAFAGE, Virginie
Purpose: Spinal muscles are a major component of posture in spinal pathologies and changes to the spine with aging. Specifically, spinopelvic muscles may compensate for underlying anomalies such as pelvic retroversion, knee flexion, and cervical or thoracic spinal balance abnormalities. To increase understanding between muscular characteristics and compensatory mechanisms, this study aimed to compare the volume of spinopelvic muscles in adults with a spinal deformity (ASD) to a control group of well-aligned adult subjects. Methods: Twenty-eight lumbar ASD patients [Cobb angle &gt; 20°, &gt; 40 years old (yo)] were prospectively included and compared to 35 normal subjects divided into 2 different groups: one group of young (Y) subjects (n = 23, &lt; 20 yo) and one group of old (O) subjects (n = 12, &gt; 40 yo). All subjects had a fat/water separation MRI (from C7 to the knees). Volumetric 3D reconstructions of 30 spinopelvic muscles were performed and muscles volumes were compared. Results: Mean age was 60 ± 16 yo, without significant differences between the ASD and O groups (57 ± 11 yo). Age and BMI were smaller in the young group. Mean Cobb angle of the ASD group was 45 ± 11°. Comparing the ASD and O groups, total muscular volume was similar; however, erector spinae (0.24 ± 0.06 vs 0.68 ± 0.08 dm3, p = 0.001), iliopsoas (0.49 ± 0.09 vs 0.60 ± 0.09 dm3, p = 0.001) and obliquus (0.42 ± 0.08 vs 0.50 ± 0.08 dm3, p = 0.02) were significantly smaller in the ASD group. Comparing the Y and the ASD groups, total muscular volume was higher in the Y group than the ASD group (+ 3.3 dm3, p = 0.003) and erector spinae (0.24 ± 0.06 vs 0.74 ± 0.08, p = 0.0001), gluteus medius (0.51 ± 0.07 vs 0.62 ± 0.13, p = 0.01) and vastus lateralis (1.33 ± 0.21 vs 2.08 ± 0.29, p = 0.001) were significantly bigger in the Y group. Conclusion: This is the first study to compare volume of spinopelvic muscles between ASD patients and a control group without spinal deformity. Our results demonstrate that muscular degeneration has a double origin: aging and deformity. Erector spinae, iliopsoas, and obliquus are the muscles most affected by degeneration.
</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://hdl.handle.net/10985/20471</guid>
<dc:date>2021-01-01T00:00:00Z</dc:date>
<dc:creator>FERRERO, Emmanuelle</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>SKALLI, Wafa</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>KHALIFÉ, Marc</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>CARLIER, Robert</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>FEYDY, Antoine</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>FELTER, Adrien</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>GUIGUI, Pierre</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LAFAGE, Virginie</dc:creator>
<dc:description>Purpose: Spinal muscles are a major component of posture in spinal pathologies and changes to the spine with aging. Specifically, spinopelvic muscles may compensate for underlying anomalies such as pelvic retroversion, knee flexion, and cervical or thoracic spinal balance abnormalities. To increase understanding between muscular characteristics and compensatory mechanisms, this study aimed to compare the volume of spinopelvic muscles in adults with a spinal deformity (ASD) to a control group of well-aligned adult subjects. Methods: Twenty-eight lumbar ASD patients [Cobb angle &gt; 20°, &gt; 40 years old (yo)] were prospectively included and compared to 35 normal subjects divided into 2 different groups: one group of young (Y) subjects (n = 23, &lt; 20 yo) and one group of old (O) subjects (n = 12, &gt; 40 yo). All subjects had a fat/water separation MRI (from C7 to the knees). Volumetric 3D reconstructions of 30 spinopelvic muscles were performed and muscles volumes were compared. Results: Mean age was 60 ± 16 yo, without significant differences between the ASD and O groups (57 ± 11 yo). Age and BMI were smaller in the young group. Mean Cobb angle of the ASD group was 45 ± 11°. Comparing the ASD and O groups, total muscular volume was similar; however, erector spinae (0.24 ± 0.06 vs 0.68 ± 0.08 dm3, p = 0.001), iliopsoas (0.49 ± 0.09 vs 0.60 ± 0.09 dm3, p = 0.001) and obliquus (0.42 ± 0.08 vs 0.50 ± 0.08 dm3, p = 0.02) were significantly smaller in the ASD group. Comparing the Y and the ASD groups, total muscular volume was higher in the Y group than the ASD group (+ 3.3 dm3, p = 0.003) and erector spinae (0.24 ± 0.06 vs 0.74 ± 0.08, p = 0.0001), gluteus medius (0.51 ± 0.07 vs 0.62 ± 0.13, p = 0.01) and vastus lateralis (1.33 ± 0.21 vs 2.08 ± 0.29, p = 0.001) were significantly bigger in the Y group. Conclusion: This is the first study to compare volume of spinopelvic muscles between ASD patients and a control group without spinal deformity. Our results demonstrate that muscular degeneration has a double origin: aging and deformity. Erector spinae, iliopsoas, and obliquus are the muscles most affected by degeneration.</dc:description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Relationships between radiographic parameters and spinopelvic  muscles in adult spinal deformity patients</title>
<link>http://hdl.handle.net/10985/18319</link>
<description>Relationships between radiographic parameters and spinopelvic  muscles in adult spinal deformity patients
FERRERO, Emmanuelle; SKALLI, Wafa; LAFAGE, Virginie; MAILLOT, Cédric; CARLIER, Robert; FEYDY, Antoine; FELTER, Adrien; KHALIFE, Marc; GUIGUI, Pierre
Introduction While the clinical impact of coronal and sagittal alignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients (pts) is  established, there is a paucity of data in terms of axial plane deformity and potential association between muscle degenera- tion and 3D deformity. The purpose of this study was to analyze spinopelvic muscles characteristics in association with the  3D deformity of ASD patients. Methods This is a prospective cohort study; primary lumbar scoliosis patients (Cobb &gt; 20°) were enrolled and sustained  a low-dose X-rays with 3D spinal reconstructions and a fat/water separation MRI (from C7 to the knee). Volumetric 3D  reconstructions and fat infiltration (FI) of 6 muscles groups were performed. Relationships between muscular data, radio- graphic parameters and health-related quality of life were investigated. Patients were stratified and compared based on the  SRS classification, the odontoid-hip axis (ODHA) angle (&gt; or &lt; 6.1°) and occurrence of rotatory subluxation. Results and discussion Twenty-eight patients were enrolled with a mean age of 60 ± 16yo and mean body mass index of  26 ± 4 kg/m2 without differences between groups. There were a moderate sagittal malalignment and a Cobb angle of 45 ± 11°  (table). Muscular volume was smaller in patients with more severe deformity (p &gt; 0.05). Pts with ODHA &gt; 6.1° or pelvic  incidence minus lumbar lordosis  &gt; 10° had significantly higher FI for the 6 muscular groups, patients with pelvic tilt  &gt; 20°  had significantly higher FI for erector spinae, hip flexors and extensors (p &lt; 0.05). SF36-PCS significantly correlated with  the muscular volume; SRS and Oswestry disability index correlated with the erectors spinae volume (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion This study analyzed for the first time the relationship between 3D radiographic parameters and muscular charac- teristics in ASD. Sagittal malalignment is associated with increased FI and decreased muscle volumes with poor outcomes.
</description>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://hdl.handle.net/10985/18319</guid>
<dc:date>2020-01-01T00:00:00Z</dc:date>
<dc:creator>FERRERO, Emmanuelle</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>SKALLI, Wafa</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LAFAGE, Virginie</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>MAILLOT, Cédric</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>CARLIER, Robert</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>FEYDY, Antoine</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>FELTER, Adrien</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>KHALIFE, Marc</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>GUIGUI, Pierre</dc:creator>
<dc:description>Introduction While the clinical impact of coronal and sagittal alignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients (pts) is  established, there is a paucity of data in terms of axial plane deformity and potential association between muscle degenera- tion and 3D deformity. The purpose of this study was to analyze spinopelvic muscles characteristics in association with the  3D deformity of ASD patients. Methods This is a prospective cohort study; primary lumbar scoliosis patients (Cobb &gt; 20°) were enrolled and sustained  a low-dose X-rays with 3D spinal reconstructions and a fat/water separation MRI (from C7 to the knee). Volumetric 3D  reconstructions and fat infiltration (FI) of 6 muscles groups were performed. Relationships between muscular data, radio- graphic parameters and health-related quality of life were investigated. Patients were stratified and compared based on the  SRS classification, the odontoid-hip axis (ODHA) angle (&gt; or &lt; 6.1°) and occurrence of rotatory subluxation. Results and discussion Twenty-eight patients were enrolled with a mean age of 60 ± 16yo and mean body mass index of  26 ± 4 kg/m2 without differences between groups. There were a moderate sagittal malalignment and a Cobb angle of 45 ± 11°  (table). Muscular volume was smaller in patients with more severe deformity (p &gt; 0.05). Pts with ODHA &gt; 6.1° or pelvic  incidence minus lumbar lordosis  &gt; 10° had significantly higher FI for the 6 muscular groups, patients with pelvic tilt  &gt; 20°  had significantly higher FI for erector spinae, hip flexors and extensors (p &lt; 0.05). SF36-PCS significantly correlated with  the muscular volume; SRS and Oswestry disability index correlated with the erectors spinae volume (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion This study analyzed for the first time the relationship between 3D radiographic parameters and muscular charac- teristics in ASD. Sagittal malalignment is associated with increased FI and decreased muscle volumes with poor outcomes.</dc:description>
</item>
<item>
<title>An Attempt of Early Detection of Poor Outcome after Whiplash</title>
<link>http://hdl.handle.net/10985/11376</link>
<description>An Attempt of Early Detection of Poor Outcome after Whiplash
WANG, Danping; LECOMPTE, Jennyfer; BLANCHO, Sophie; SANDOZ, Baptiste; FEYDY, Antoine; LINDBERG, Pavel; ADRIAN, Julien; CHIAROVANO, Elodie; DE WAELE, Catherine; VIDAL, Pierre-Paul; LAPORTE, Sébastien
The main concern with whiplash is that a large proportion of whiplash patients experience disabling symptoms or whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) for months if not years following the accident. Therefore, identifying early prognostic factors of WAD development is important as WAD have widespread clinical and economic consequences. In order to tackle that question, our study was specifically aimed at combining several methods of investigation in the same WAD patients at the acute stage and 6 months later. Our longitudinal, open, prospective, multi-center study included 38 whiplash patients, and 13 healthy volunteers matched for age, gender, and socio-economic status with the whiplash group. Whiplash patients were evaluated 15–21 days after road accident, and 6 months later. At each appointment, patients underwent a neuropsychological evaluation, a full clinical neurological examination, neurophysiological and postural tests, oto-neurological tests, cervical spine cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with tractography (DTI). At 6 months, whiplash patients were categorized into two subgroups based on the results of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as having either favorable or unfavorable progression [an unfavorable classification corresponding to the presence of post-concussion symptom (PCS)] and we searched retrospectively for early prognostic factors of WAD predicting the passage to chronicity. We found that patients displaying high level of catastrophizing at the acute stage and/or post-traumatic stress disorder associated with either abnormalities in head or trunk kinematics, abnormal test of the otolithic function and at the Equitest or a combination of these syndromes, turned to chronicity. This study suggests that low-grade whiplash patients should be submitted as early as possible after the trauma to neuropsychological and motor control tests in a specialized consultation. In addition, they should be evaluated by a neuro-otologist for a detailed examination of vestibular functions, which should include cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential. Then, if diagnosed at risk of WAD, these patients should be subjected to an intensive preventive rehabilitation program, including vestibular rehabilitation if required.
</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://hdl.handle.net/10985/11376</guid>
<dc:date>2016-01-01T00:00:00Z</dc:date>
<dc:creator>WANG, Danping</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LECOMPTE, Jennyfer</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>BLANCHO, Sophie</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>SANDOZ, Baptiste</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>FEYDY, Antoine</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LINDBERG, Pavel</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>ADRIAN, Julien</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>CHIAROVANO, Elodie</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>DE WAELE, Catherine</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>VIDAL, Pierre-Paul</dc:creator>
<dc:creator>LAPORTE, Sébastien</dc:creator>
<dc:description>The main concern with whiplash is that a large proportion of whiplash patients experience disabling symptoms or whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) for months if not years following the accident. Therefore, identifying early prognostic factors of WAD development is important as WAD have widespread clinical and economic consequences. In order to tackle that question, our study was specifically aimed at combining several methods of investigation in the same WAD patients at the acute stage and 6 months later. Our longitudinal, open, prospective, multi-center study included 38 whiplash patients, and 13 healthy volunteers matched for age, gender, and socio-economic status with the whiplash group. Whiplash patients were evaluated 15–21 days after road accident, and 6 months later. At each appointment, patients underwent a neuropsychological evaluation, a full clinical neurological examination, neurophysiological and postural tests, oto-neurological tests, cervical spine cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with tractography (DTI). At 6 months, whiplash patients were categorized into two subgroups based on the results of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as having either favorable or unfavorable progression [an unfavorable classification corresponding to the presence of post-concussion symptom (PCS)] and we searched retrospectively for early prognostic factors of WAD predicting the passage to chronicity. We found that patients displaying high level of catastrophizing at the acute stage and/or post-traumatic stress disorder associated with either abnormalities in head or trunk kinematics, abnormal test of the otolithic function and at the Equitest or a combination of these syndromes, turned to chronicity. This study suggests that low-grade whiplash patients should be submitted as early as possible after the trauma to neuropsychological and motor control tests in a specialized consultation. In addition, they should be evaluated by a neuro-otologist for a detailed examination of vestibular functions, which should include cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential. Then, if diagnosed at risk of WAD, these patients should be subjected to an intensive preventive rehabilitation program, including vestibular rehabilitation if required.</dc:description>
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